Height to be a Goalkeeper

CTRushe

Hey guys just a question on how tall you think you need to be a goalkeeper in gaelic? The reason im asking was throughout underage level and up i was always in goals and pretty good but since im now 19 i havent been graced with alot of height im about 5'10 and have been playing outfield for past few years and just feel im not as good as when i played in goals. Just wanna know what height you think you need to be?

Lex Luthor

I wouldn't think that you need to be 6ft plus to be a keeper in GAA. Most of the time the shots are coming at you low and fast so the better the reflexes are would be an advantage imo

Frank Spencer

I would say you don't have to be tall but it helps. You generally have your fullback giving you a dig out most of the time.

Some of the qualities I would rank ahead of being over average height would be a good shot stopper, calm coming out with the ball, a good distributor, a good organiser and above all in my opinion an excellent kick-out.

Our goalkeeper is about the same height as yourself but he has all the qualities I have listed and he's superb.

rebel girl 15

I'm 5'9 playing football in goals - height shouldn't be an issue. I agree with Frank Spenser, it really isn't a lot about height. Kickout is the number one thing imo, distance and accuracy. Organisation is another big one, if you have your defence well organised then you should have very few shots to stop. Calmness is another - that you are able to be calm and collected coming out with the ball and find a team mate, but also if a goal goes in that you do not lose the head. Being tall can also be a disadvantage, that you cannot get down to low shots easily.

I've been caught by high balls in the past, but generally when I have not been practising them. Last week, goal went in over my head because I didn't move quick enough, worked on it for half an hour before two training sessions, and saved four under the crossbar during a practise game no problem, same goal. I know that if I haven't practised under a high ball I am not comfortable, but after a small bit of extra practise I am.

I think your problem about not feeling as good playing in goals could be down to practise - I know at the start of the year when I have no shot stopping done (don't have great backs ), I come off the pitch saying that I would be better outfield. But with some practise you will feel better about it - four weeks ago, I been doing all the outfield stuff all year, and nearly every ball went past me when I was in goals during a shooting drill, Wednesday night I saved most of them and reacting better to shots. Don't give it up just yet, do a bit of practise and see how you feel, because it is very easy to get out of practise, much easier than playing outfield.

If you are looking for some drills to help, there are some drills on here, Benny Tierney takes the football ones, and Graham Clarke takes the hurling ones but the hurling can be adapted to football and vice versa